Hughes 369E accident near Raetihi, Nz, February 19, 2017
On February 19, 2017 at about 9:30 am local time, a Hughes 369E (helicopter), registered ZKHRK, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Raetihi. 1 person was seriously injured.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 19, 2017 · about 9:30 am local time
- Place
- Raetihi, New Zealand
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Hughes 369E E · all 369Es on the register
- Registration
- ZKHRK · no longer on the register · serial 0267E
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On February 19, 2017, at 0930 local time, a McDonnell Douglas Hughes 369E, ZK-HRK, operated by Precision Helicopters Ltd. collided with a ridgeline in the Waimarino Forest near Raetihi, New Zealand during an external load operation. The helicopter was being operated in accordance with the pertinent civil regulations of the government of New Zealand. The helicopter was substantially damaged and the pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured. The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of New Zealand. This report is for information purposes only and contains only information released by the Government of New Zealand. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand Safety Investigations Unit Level 15, Asteron Centre 55 Featherston St Wellington 6011, New Zealand Tel: (64) 04-560-9400
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Unknown or undetermined during maneuvering defining event
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 2,998 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls Royce M250-C20B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Not recorded
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.